Hi everyone! So I’ve recently switched to Linux and I’m having a lot of fun downloading software and replacing my old stuff with it. I’m wondering what you all use?
My switched softwares:
Obsidian -> Logseq - Obsidian is great and all but I think Logseq is also competent in its own way even without plugins. I am currently exploring templates to create my own daily journal/habit tracker like I did in Obsidian.
Word/Notepad -> LibreOffice - Seems to have a lot of options. Currently using the writer software for quick notes.
Canva -> Inkscape - I am aware that Canva is a website/android app, but I decided to switch from it to Inkscape by utilizing open source illustrations such as Undraw for graphics needs. I still need to look up tutorials on how to use it properly, though!
Clip Studio Paint -> Krita - I actually made this switch a month or two ago, but I’m really enjoying Krita a lot more than I ever did Clip Studio Paint. Less things to get distracted by, giving you more chances to learn how to utilize the essentials.
Things I’d like to explore in more detail:
- Thunderbird as a calendar/email/task software
- Whether or not I should stick with Calibre for book management
- Kdenlive as a video creating program. I haven’t created videos before, but it seems fun.
How about you? What do you enjoy?
My use of Obsidian was primarily note-taking on topics relating to Mental Health, Physical Health, Productivity, Art, so forth. I would create templates dedicated to book reviews and video notes, and I had a morning routine in my daily notes. My morning routine was primarily a few tasks, checking off some habits, and the concept of Morning Pages by Julia Cameron where you just ramble on like a madman until you’re done thinking that morning.
It was----still is great. However, I found that I tended to use plugins a bit too often! And I didn’t really like relying on it too much, if that makes any sense? Like, what if this ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL PLUGIN TO MY WORKFLOW decides “yeah I can’t update anymore” and its just poof, gone.
So I am trying out different software.
A few days ago I switched to Logseq. It has a cool-looking citation method, however I think my use-case will most likely be journaling due to the infinite scroll function of the journal entries. I don’t really like the idea of making one long note in the Journal and then having to scroll past it to get to my previous day’s note. However, an infinite scroll is absolutely excellent for a morning routine template where you can scroll down and see all your mood tracking and habits. Similarly, the whiteboard function will be great to use for goal-setting. I previously used the Canva function in Obsidian for that at one point!
As for my note-taking, I’m now switching to Zim Wiki. I am a little unsure how to incorporate templates, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out…however, I really like the simplistic look to it. It doesn’t have a graph as far as I can tell, but I can create topics, subfolders, and subpages. There’s a word editor at the top which I previously had to use a plugin in Obsidian for.
Finally, am I enjoying the switch? Actually, yes! I think Obsidian is great for an all-in-one program, but I just didn’t like the fact that a lot of its functionality for me relied on plugins. Zim wiki + Logseq seem to be a good combination for me so far.
I’m on a complementary boat. Plugins are open so I’m not worried about relying on them, I’m more worried about the underlying Obsidian itself that could just decide to pursue a different commercial model and lock me out.
It gives me a bit of a “too good to be true” vibe…
Oh yeah I feel you on that too. I used to use Notion so the fear is real with Obsidian. Will they do what Notion did and introduce AI and slow down the program to the point its unusable for me? Will they decide to make it a monthly subscription model if you want more content than a “basic user” ? I don’t know for sure, but its possible, so it DOES feel too good to be true sometimes.
I feel you concerning the dependency on third-party plugins. There are many amzing people developing rather niche but nice plugins. At some point, plugins will stop to be updated. However, if it is critical to you, you can stll freeze the obsidian version amd work with your notes as you please. But this is not great longterm, I see it as the price to pay for community-developed software. On the other hand, if people using the plugins would donate small amounts, developers could live on their plugins. Maybe this will work at some point.
As I never tried Logseq: is it similar in style with users writing in Markdown syntax and linking files? The infinite scrolling seems to only be for journaling, I would also need to get used to it but it is a nice design aspect (and closer to a physical journal).
I do not qant to “convert” you (back) to Obsidian, but if you only need basic note-taking with linkage, Obsidian seems the perfect fit. Templating and linking are built in and if Obsidian ever stops updating, you still have your .md Files which will work even without Obsidian. But Zim Wiki sounds nice and if it fits your needs, use this. Maybe you can update us when you have found your system in it and others could profit.
Enjoy the thrill of learning new tools and customizing it to your needs! Hope this all works well for you
RE: Logseq—yes, that is the case when it comes to markdown syntax and linking files. They also have something neat involving citations and Zotero that I both don’t understand and don’t need as I’m…not in college or uni, haha! I kinda dislike the indexing and how it works too—right out of the bat it becomes rather disorganized if you try to set up your templates without understanding how it works. I’m not too too sure if I plan on keeping Logseq?
Obsidian probably is the perfect fit, but Zim WIki isn’t that bad either! I just figured out how to set up templates. After experimenting it seems the templates are made by creating a page, saving a copy, and then putting it in the template folder. You can then copy and paste the template over.
It seems that it does in fact have a journal plugin but as I said, I’m not super invested in plugins due to the concerns about stability. However, the creator of the plugin seems to be Possibly the same person who created Zim Wiki, or at least, the person who uploads and does most of the core plugins. So they probably have an invested interest in keeping that plugin active.
Regarding going back to Obsidian—I’m probably gonna do that eventually. I really like the aesthetic themes. But for now, I’m having a lot of fun tinkering with everything and seeing what works for me, haha! Thank you!